Ireland Travel Deals

Take advantage of low rates in the off-season and check out this 6-day escorted Ireland tour - just enough time to give you a taste of the Emerald Isle and warm memories of this friendly country.

You’ll arrive in Dublin on a Monday morning to check into the Hilton Kilmainham for one night.  From this convenient location, the day is yours to explore the sites in Ireland’s capital city.  During dinner this evening, you’ll have a chance to meet  your tour leader and traveling companions for the next week.

Explore Galway's City Centre on an escorted Ireland tour

photo credit: LiamDC

Tuesday morning, after breakfast, you’ll be off on a luxury motor coach across farming country to Galway for a short tour of the city before driving through the Burren for some amazing views and reaching the renown Cliffs of Moher.  The night will be spent at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, with an option to attend the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Have your camera ready for an active day of photo-taking on Wednesday as you head across the Shannon estuary by ferry on the way to the Ring of Kerry, passing small towns and stopping for photos of the most spectacular views.  Wednesday night you’ll be able to explore the charming resort town of Killarney after the included dinner and relax at your hotel, the Holiday Inn.

On Thursday morning after breakfast, you’ll cross the Kerry Mountains and reach Blarney for a chance to kiss the stone and stroll around the castle.  In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Kilkenny, a vibrant town with a rich  medieval history and active crafts industry, and an overnight stay at the Pembroke Hotel.

A drive through the scenic Wicklow Mountains on Friday will take you to Glendalough for a tour of the ancient monastery with a local guide.  Then it’s off  to Dublin for a city tour before arriving at the Hilton Kilmainham for your final night.  Join your tour director at the Guinness Storehouse for a Farewell Dinner (optional) or check out Dublin pub tours for an entertaining night in the city.

Contact Ireland Travel Deals - 1-888-825-4529 - for more information on this great escorted Ireland tour.  With departure dates available in November, December, January and February, land prices begin at $849 per person based on double-occupancy (December departures are $899 per person); airfare is additional.  This Ireland travel package includes round trip airport transfers, 5 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 dinners and escorted touring through Ireland with an experienced driver/guide.

Welcome back! Contact Ireland Travel Deals to book your vacation packages to the Celtic countries - find out more about who we are through our Pub Crawls.

• Goodbye, summer; hello, *travel deals*

September 4, 2009
- Great Ireland travel deals are plentiful for traveling in shoulder season - and fewer tourists offer easier, hassle-free travel.

Take time out for a short hop across the pond for a Scotland golf trip and this special deal at the recently renovated Fairmont St. Andrews - an overnight stay in a luxurious guest room, hearty Scottish breakfast and a round of golf on either the Kittocks or Torrance course for only £259 (approximately $425 USD) per room, based on double occupancy.

Test your golfing skills on one of these two spectacular courses -  the Kittocks course offers outstanding views over the sandy beaches of St. Andrews.  Or try the Torrance course, recently reopened after an 18-month redesign by designer Sam Torrance.  This course hosted the Scottish Senior Open in August and is a qualifying venue for the 2010 Open.

Play at St. Andrews with a Scotland golf trip

The Fairmont St. Andrews is a spacious five-star luxury resort with over 200 rooms and suites.  Luxuriate with the latest spa and wellness treatments in the 9,000 square foot spa to relax after a day of golf.

This fantastic deal for a Scotland golf trip expires on September 30.  Don’t delay - contact us now to book your fall getaway to one of Europe’s leading golf resorts and reserve your time at either the Kittocks or Torrance courses.

I’m frequently asked by clients planning a trip to Ireland, when is the best time to travel?

While many people opt for the warm, sunny days of summer for an Irish vacation, fall, spring and winter have their own magical charms and are the bargain times to travel. The landscape in varying shades of emerald green, rust and mustard is still stunning; the people are still friendly (and possibly more so, because the urgency of the tourist deluge is over); and few things are more rewarding than the camaraderie found in a welcoming Irish pub, especially to chase away the chill of a winter’s night.

The “high” season in Ireland, from mid-June through mid-September, is the most hectic time for travel. Temperatures are warm without being miserably sticky and hot, skies are sunny and visitors flock to the small country from the US, mainland Europe and afar.  Pricing is at its highest, both for accommodations and airfare.  As the weather begins to change, with cooler temperatures and more overcast days, many vacationers return to their homes and the prices go down.

The “shoulder season” for Ireland vacations is mid-September through October, April, May and early June.  “Low season,” when the temperature has a distinct chill and some small hotels, guest houses, shops and cafes are closed, is the winter months from November through March.

Planning a trip to Ireland in fall or winter will give you fantastic views of emerald green, rusts and mustard-colored scenery.

Ireland’s winter weather is much more temperate than in the northern regions of the United States, and even more temperate than in much of continental Europe. The average winter temperature in Ireland rarely decreases to freezing and typically stays around a relatively mild 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  However, the winter’s wind often can be quite strong, and rainfall - a must for keeping the Emerald Island a stunning and vibrant green - is more frequent in winter and fall.

Pricing and throngs of tourists proportionally decrease the farther you travel from the warmest summer months. Savings on airfares can be 50 percent or more in low season; hotels and guest houses offer reduced cost packages to help keep your costs down.  In addition to the potential savings, however, the best reasons to travel to Ireland in the “shoulder” or “low” seasons are the fantastic experiences.  It is so much easier to wander through historic ruins, contemplate the mystical landscapes, stroll through formal gardens - and find a seat in the local pub! - when there are no crowds of tourists and long lines.  You may even find yourself dawdling longer in pubs, shops and guest houses as people will be more relaxed and have more time.

Grab an assortment of layers for traveling in the Fall and Winter - be sure to include a waterproof jacket, heavy Irish sweater, cap, gloves and a bit of thermal underwear to chase away the chill - and start planning your trip to Ireland by calling us at 1-888-825-4529.